MANY Cherries stars have been immortalised in song over the years, mostly from the terraces as fans set their (dis)approval to music.

But Cherries experts reckon Wade Elliott is the first to be commemorated on disc.

The Ballad of Wade Elliott (click on link above to hear the song) has just gone on sale in the club shop at the Fitness First stadium and will raise money to ease the club's financial woes.

Recorded by one-time Bournemouth band, The Bewley Brothers, the song was written by Cherries fan Lance Riley.

"Actually the song came first, then the idea to record it and sell it to aid the club," says Lance, who works in London but returns to Bournemouth at weekends to make sure he can see home games.

"It's not like any football song I've ever heard - there's no mention of ball, or goal, or ref - so you don't have to be into football to like it. In fact, in the last verse several Bournemouth pubs and Pokesdown Bridge get a mention. It's got an almost Latin feel and we use the song the fans sing about Wade - but without the swearing!"

Lance approached the club and got approval from manager Sean O'Driscoll and from Wade himself.

"We were told he's really into the idea and we're really pleased with how it has turned out. As the song says, Wade Elliott is brilliant; and the song's got brilliant all over it. Apparently he's a Radiohead fan, which makes a change for footballers... usually they're into Phil Collins or Celine Dion or something equally awful."

Wade told the Daily Echo he was stunned to learn of the single but was right behind the idea.

"Obviously it's very flattering and a really nice gesture of support," he said.

"It's quite unusual, there can't be that many footballers, especially not very well-known ones, who have had records made about them.

"They should make ideal Christmas presents - all my friends and family know what they'll be getting this year now!"

The CD comes with two extra Bewley Brothers tracks - Get Your Faith Now and Ocean Free - and is on sale for £3 with all profits going to the club.

The Ballad of Wade Elliott

How we going to get through this? How we going to get through this one? The pressure is hard to take But pressure is what we're giving. We've got Wade Elliott; This boy is brilliant, he's brilliant! Moving to the left, moving to the right, Time and space is twice moving through the middle. We've got Wade Elliott; This boy is brilliant, he's brilliant! Standing in the Cricketers; Sitting in the Queens Park living room; Singing it from Pokesdown Bridge; Down to the Court and back again. We've got Wade Elliott; This boy is brilliant, he's brilliant! Hear the North Stand sing. Hear the East stand sing. Boscombe, back of the net!

Copyright L Riley and M Burden